Ask the Car People.SM


Towing with a Forester

151 messages,  Last post on Sep 07, 2010 at 5:28 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Towing, Wagon

Messages Page 14 of 16

#122 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [xwesx] by jogousa

Jul 07, 2010 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jul 07, 2010 11:44 am)
By the way, 2010 Forester has 3 large holes in the spare tire well (covered with rubber plugs) that allow flat trailer elec. plug easily go through to the outside.
All you have to do is slice the plug, run flat color coded 4- wire through and put the plug back and tape it with duct tape.

#123 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [jogousa] by aatherton

Jul 08, 2010 (5:45 am)

Replying to: jogousa (Jul 07, 2010 12:38 pm)
My 2008 has a flat rubber grommet in the spare tire well, but it is too small to allow the flat plug to pass through a cut, nor would I want to cut it. It would not be possible to seal the cut grommet with the harness passing through it, wiggling and being tugged on all the time. Neither duct tape nor silicone would be permanent seal for this application.
 
Nor would I want the harness stored externally by wrapping it around the hitch, or the plug dangling in the dust and spray under the bumper.
 
I like the aftermarket kits that store the flat harness and the plug in the clean dry tire well, compared to the OEM harness with its pre-sealed rubber grommet and external round cable.

#124 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [aatherton] by jogousa

Jul 08, 2010 (6:37 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Jul 08, 2010 5:45 am)
Well, 2010 Forester has a rubber grommet large enough for flat plug to pass through.
 
Flat plug also has a rubber seal/cap that seals the contcats from elements.
 
Flat plug and harness can be attached to hitch with plastic straps so that it does not wiggle.
 
Cutting rubber grommet does not compromise water getting inside the spare tire well when properly taped with a duct tape. Most cars nowadays are designed with motto: water comes in - water comes/drips out. As a matter of fact, some cars have "one-way" rubber grommets that allow water to drip out (say, for example, when you put snowy flat tire in a spare tire well and snow melts...water then just drips out of the well).
 
In my 40-some years wiring hitches on my new cars I never had any problem with water getting in or rusting while running wires through rubber grommets....

#125 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [jogousa] by xwesx

Jul 08, 2010 (10:31 am)

Replying to: jogousa (Jul 08, 2010 6:37 am)
Thanks - I'll have to take a closer look at those plugs. I did locate three of them, but did not think they were large enough to allow the massive T-One flat-4 connector to pass through. If it was of a smaller size, like is typical for a flat-4, it would be no problem. I also do not mind cutting and splicing the cable inside the car - I just need to get some more connectors.
 
It will have to wait for now, though... too many other projects!

#126 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [xwesx] by jogousa

Jul 08, 2010 (11:06 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jul 08, 2010 10:31 am)
I am not familiar with T-One flat 4 but a regular 4 flat connector easily goes through on of those holes and it can be easily attached to the hitch with one or two black plastic ties.
You only slice half-way the rubber grommet, replace it and then cover it with duct tape. Works for me.

#127 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [jogousa] by nhforester

Jul 12, 2010 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: jogousa (Jul 08, 2010 11:06 am)
Hi everyone! New to the forum, but already finding it useful!
A few questions...Has anyone towed more than 1000# with a non-turbo Forester? I was thinking this was Lawer induced, as I have many times pulled near max loads with other vehicles and without brakes...Just some planning when stopping.
I will be pulling about 1500# in ATVs from NH to W.VA. I need to purchase my hitch, wiring etc. Class III? Any recomendations? Also, If there are transmission lines to the radiator as i read in this post at some time, then isin't that in fact a heat excanger? (no need for cooler as well?) I have been looking into the Scan GaugeII to be able to monitor coolant and ATF temps while towing. Anyone else?
Thanks everyone!!!

#128 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [nhforester] by jogousa

Jul 12, 2010 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: nhforester (Jul 12, 2010 4:36 pm)
I bought mine at U-Haul (Class III - model # 78182) - paid $ 149.95 plus tax $ 11.25 total $ 161.20.
 
I had it installed by U-haul in less than 30 minutes for 32.50 plus tax of 2.44 - total $ 34.94 installation labor.
 
I bought wiring harness T-One Vehicle Wiring harness at e-trailer.com.
Model# 118467 for $ 34.95 plus $ 4.99 shipping - total 39.94. It plugs into existing Subaru hitch harness plug next to the spare tire (4 pole trailer connector).
 
So, the complete hitch, installation and wiring came to $ 236.00
 
Subaru part number L101SSC000 for above lists at $ 390 plus installation labor - appx cost, if done by Subaru, is appx $ 500.00.

#129 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [jogousa] by xwesx

Jul 13, 2010 (10:44 am)

Replying to: jogousa (Jul 12, 2010 5:43 pm)
I'll second that. Class-III works great! I purchased mine (Curt 13147) on Amazon for $137.20 and installed it myself - it took about an hour and the only "specialized" tool it required was a Dremel with a grinding stone to enlarge the frame holes from Class II to Class III. I picked up my wiring harness from eTrailer as well ($39.99... even to Alaska!).
 
If your total weight is 1500#, you'll be just fine without trailer brakes, but be sure to leave more distance between you and whatever you might hit if you don't stop in time because your braking distance will increase, from what I can tell, by probably 30%. I tested out my trailer, partially loaded, last night (probably 900# total at that point) and it pulled flawlessly. Braking was not noticeably impacted, but I did not do a panic stop from 55-60 mph.
 
The transmission does have cooler lines into the radiator. If you plan to tow regularly and for long distances, an additional cooler as always a good idea. If not, you likely do not need one. A friend of mine towed 2000# on a 2000 Forester from Washington DC to Wasilla, AK several years back. They had no problems on the trip, but about six months later the transmission went out. It was under warranty and, since they were within manufacturer spec for towing, it was replaced under warranty (though I'm still convinced that it was that trip that killed the tranny).
 
I start my trip tonight, and so far the car pulls the trailer very well, so we shall see how it does when fully loaded. Of course, there will be photos!

#130 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [xwesx] by ateixeira

Jul 13, 2010 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jul 01, 2010 1:14 pm)
Love that hitch mounted cargo tray. Color me jealous.
 
I'd use it for beach gear - sandy chairs, things like that. Keep the inside sand-free.

#131 of 151 Re: Installed the wiring harness on Pappy [ateixeira] by xwesx

Jul 13, 2010 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 13, 2010 12:12 pm)
Shoot, AJ, don't be jealous, just get one! They are great! I purchased everything I needed at Amazon, free shipping! The hitch was $137.20 and the tray was $102.xx. Just do it....
 
I hope your trip to Brazil continues to go well!

Messages Page 14 of 16

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement